The Beauty of Nature in Summer - In Photographs and Thoughts

Bumble Bee finding the right flower

A bumble bee in my speedwell, a/k/a Veronica. This flower likes well drained soil and lots of sun. | Source

“Summertime is always the best of what might be.” ― Charles Bowden

Summer FAQs

Honeybees make 10 million trips to make one pound of honey

July is National Ice Cream Month

In the Southern Hemisphere the longest day of summer is in December

July was named after Julius Caesar and August was named after Caesar’s nephew, Augustus

Summer school vacations were invented in 1840

The Eiffel Tower grows up to 6 inches in summer due to heat expansion

Watermelon is a vegetable

Thunder and lightning storms occur more often in summer

Beginning of Summer

Every season has its strengths and beauty but oh summertime! Flowers and trees in full bloom, a cacophony of color everywhere! What of the animals coming back to life and spotting the countryside as they look for food? There is no busier season than summer. Might I add here it is also a time for enjoying the outdoors, going to the beach, swimming, fishing, and the list goes on.

Summertime is definitely not everyone's favorite season, mostly due to the heat, but I think nature gives us a beautiful show during the summer months. However, there are so many plants and flowers that thrive in summer and others that only grow in summer.

To look at summer we need to remember it encompasses the months of June, July and August. (At least hear in the United States.) As June approaches school children begin to get excited because they know they will soon be on summer vacation, though some states start their vacations in May.

Flowers have been planted and lawns laid so that the fruits of the gardeners labor can be enjoyed.

Flower Photography

“I will be the gladdest thing under the sun! I will touch a hundred flowers and not pick one.” ― Edna St. Vincent Millay

Flowers in Summer

Each flower requires a different type of soil and different amounts of sunshine to bring it to full bloom. There is nothing like walking through a garden full of flowers. The beauty of their color and often their fragrance can bring you back to childhood memories of flower gardens or happy times in the outdoors.

Everyone has a favorite flower and the memories it evokes help make it our favorite. Even the flowers that aren't our favorites are beautiful to look at and a joy to behold.

Photos of Flowers

Click thumbnail to view full-size

Lilies like well drained soil and a half day of sun. | Source

A rose bush with tiny roses. | Source

The delicate gladiolus. A perennial that grows from a bulb. | Source

A balloon flower, also called a bell flower. They also come in pink and white. | Source

Daylily, often seen growing along the side of the road. | Source

Water lily. | Source

A mock sunflower whose name I forgot. | Source

Pink and blue hydrangea on same plant. | Source

Purple minarda. | Source

Sites of Summer

There's more to see in summer than just flowers. The scenery and other things in nature can attract our attention as well. The moon or a morning mist not always what you see in other seasons. The green landscape stretching out before you is a beautiful thing to look at. Summer paints the landscape in brilliant colors.

Scenery in Summer

A welcoming birdhouse. | Source

“There is nothing like walking to get the feel of a country. A fine landscape is like a piece of music; it must be taken at the right tempo. Even a bicycle goes too fast.” - Paul Scott Mowrer

Looking at the Landscape

We each see something different when we look at a landscape. It is certainly there for all of us but many do not even notice while others are breathless at the beauty they see. The landscape changes with the seasons, with the night and day, and as I said, with the eye of the beholder. Some appreciate the beauty God has put before us while others never see.

Animals and Insects in Summer

Summer brings some pesky insects but also many interesting ones. Photographing them makes them seem more harmless and interesting. Of course no one misses the beauty of the butterfly.

At my daughter's summer home in Manahawkin,NJ, the ducks often come to eat the bread my four year old grandson throws to them. He was especially thrilled one day when they came up on the land to get their bread.

Animals and Insects

Click thumbnail to view full-size

A spider hanging from his web. | Source

A resting dragonfly. | Source

A hummingbird at my feeder. | Source

A butterfly on my butterfly bush. | Source

A frog sunning himself beside the pond. | Source

A seagull taking a rest. | Source

A duck headed in to get some bread. | Source

Duck number two. | Source

Duck number three. | Source

My grandson feeding the ducks. | Source

This is not trick photography nor has it been photoshopped. Evidently there was a bird flying by when I took this picture! | Source

Mother and her twins. | Source

Your Photos

I'm sure some of you are scratching your head saying you have better photographs, and you very well may. These are a sample of the ones I've been taking this summer and just loving every minute of it. I've just started to try to look with a more artistic eye and find the things in nature I often overlook.

Perhaps this has sparked you on to taking more photos on your own or looking through what you have to appreciate them. Either way, I hope you enjoyed my little photographic journal and would love to hear from you about my pictures. Please leave a comment.

Copyright Tillsontitan - All Rights Reserved

Dinner Plate Hibiscus

One of my new favorites, this flower reaches up to twelve inches across. | Source

Miniature Pinschers a/k/a Min Pins are not for the weak at heart, training is a must but the rewards are great. Very affectionate and really good dogs when trained; faithful, affectionate and intelligent!

76 comments

Fabulous photos! Those honeybees sure are hard workers. I didn't know the Eiffel Tower expanded in the summer. Very interesting. I enjoyed your thoughts, photos and facts! With the exception of the spider photo. Eww, but nice shot!

Writer Fox 3 years ago from the wadi near the little river

Beautiful pictures - You must have a lovely garden! Voted up.

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Thanks Linda. I don't especially love spiders either but couldn't resist the shot!

Thank you Writer Fox. I love my flowers. Appreciate the vote too.

carol7777 3 years ago from Arizona

beautiful photos... and words, of course. Great job and so enjoyed this peaceful adventure.

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Thanks Carol, so glad you enjoyed.

deb napoli 3 years ago

i love to always look at your photos and read what you write. you are very talented! could you publish more frequently please? lol

billybuc 3 years ago from Olympia, WA

You set the tone perfectly with the opening quote....what a beautiful thought...the best of what might be...then you followed up with some gorgeous pictures and thoughts.

I could read your hubs all day, and that's about as high a compliment as I can pay. :)

Have a great week ahead, Mary.

bill

Faith Reaper 3 years ago from southern USA

Dear Mary (till),

What an awe-inspiring summertime wonderment you have presented here in this most beautiful hub here!

I do so appreciate all that God has placed before our very eyes indeed. How could one not do so! Your photos are stunning and just gorgeous, even the spider one ... perfect.

Really love all of the interesting facts and quotes you have included here, and I now know that Watermelon is a vegetable.

That beautiful photo of your Hibiscus flower reminds me of my mother because I bought her one, and it was so gorgeous in the summer and it certainly did get huge.

My granddaughters love to feed all the ducks and geese too at the pond.

Thank you for sharing in all the beautiful wonderment of summertime here!

Voted up ++++ and sharing

God Bless, Faith Reaper

Mhatter99 3 years ago from San Francisco

Simply beautiful! thank you

ChitrangadaSharan 3 years ago from New Delhi, India

Beautiful hub, with wonderful photographs and nice quotations!

The Summer FAQs are interesting to know.

Thanks---Voted up!

Anil Lyall 3 years ago

Sheer joy and beauty, and your great will to share; Keep it up, there is much happiness to spread around - in all seasons. Thanks.

hawaiianodysseus 3 years ago from Southeast Washington state

Now that I know the truth about watermelons, I can honestly say, I love my fat, sweet, and juicy vegetables with the green rind!

Hi, Mary! Paul Scott Mowrer, in his quote that you shared with us, certainly knew what he was talking about. It's one thing to admire the beauty of the land from a car going 40 miles down a country road; it's an altogether different experience to realize the startling revelation of how we're intimately part of that big picture by walking the same route.

Your beautiful article is an excellent example of how a photographer graced her portfolio with intriguing word pictures instead of the usual way of creating a hub.

And a hibiscus twelve inches in diameter? Oh Em Gee! They grow 'em big in NY!

Blessings and aloha, Mary, and thanks so much for this refreshing reminder of how fortunate we are to have this gift of life.

Aloha, my friend!

~Joe

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Thank you so much Deb. I've seen the beautiful pictures you take so I am doubly complimented by your comment!

Bill, I am speechless (a very uncommon situation)...I know you have paid me the highest compliment and I am truly, truly honored. Thank you my friend. Hope your week is full of good things!

Faith, how can we not be inspired by what God has given us? I enjoyed sharing the wonderment of summer and even more so because what I've shared is something my friends, like you, can relate to! God Bless.

Many thanks Mhatter.

Thank you so much ChitrangadaSharan, I appreciate your visit, comment and vote!

My dearest Joe....they grow everything big in NY (am I allowed to say that on HP?) My Baby Boomer Buddy you know more about taking your time to appreciate the beauty of nature than any of us...your walking, hubs, and your photos show the beauty you see. How lucky we are we can share so many things with our friends here! Aloha and God bless.

wetnosedogs 3 years ago from Alabama

I miss some pictures I want to take because I forget my camera. My phone camera isn't all that great.

Sure is some pretty pictures.

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Thanks WND. I try to keep a camera handy but know what you mean.

marcoujor 3 years ago from Jeffersonville PA

Dear Mary,

What could be better on this dreary, overcast Labor Day, as we face the end of summer...

I am instantly all smiles at your gorgeous summer photography and fact-filled piece. I had no idea that watermelon was a vegetable...wow! Beautiful and inspirational work...

You and yours have been on my mind and in my prayers. Hugs, Maria

cleaner3 3 years ago from Pueblo, Colorado

Mary... you are sweetest flower of all .. I love flowers for they are the poets best friend.. you have published a fine piece here my dear.. well written and formatted with beautiful pictures..! in awe ..

Michael

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Happy to cheer a dreary day Maria. How could you know things have been rough? Larry had a mini stroke on Tuesday so this week has been difficult. Your thoughts and prayers are more than welcome my friend.

I almost left out the fact about the watermelon because I thought everyone knew but the comments here show it was a good idea to leave it in.

What honor you bestow on me my poet friend Michael! The awe is mine to revel in your beautiful comment.

samowhamo 3 years ago

Oh I love summer its my favorite time of the year for all of the same reasons you list here but especially because everything is so lively and because of the warm weather (though I sometimes get overheated) and swimming. Winter is my least favorite season because I feel winter is the opposite of all that. Wonderful article oh and thank you for commenting on my dragon article I have another one if you are interested just click on the link below if you would like to read it. Voted up and awesome tillsontitan :).

Well samowhamo that's two things we agree on, summer and dragons! So glad you enjoyed my hub and appreciate the votes.

drbj 3 years ago from south Florida

What a lovely summery hub, Mary. And your photos are luscious. So watermelon is a vegetable? Who knew? Voted up of course.

Genna East 3 years ago from Massachusetts, USA

I do so love nature, and flowers in summer are miracles, each in their own way. I only wish I could take photographs as beautifully as you do, Mary. These take my breath away. The flowers come more alive as if we can almost touch them, enjoying all of their scents and vivid colors. The same is true with the landscapes, and insects. The butterfly on the butterfly bush is magnificent – as are all of the other photographs. This hub is a feast for the eyes and the soul. :-) Up +++ and shared.

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Thanks dr. Isn't it interesting how we can learn something new in the strangest places ;)

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Oh Thank you Genna! I'm still thinking about Maggie so I find it quite a compliment to have you say you like my hub....I love photographing the flowers and even more I love it when people see a bit of what I see.

carter06 3 years ago from Cronulla NSW

I just loved this taste of your summer Till and truly think your photos are spectacular!! The flower shots are beautiful but those landscape moon shots are quite something else!! A touch of inviting respite in my hazy winters day!! thank you:)

VUAB & shared & pinned..cheers

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

How nice I could bring a moment of summer to you in your winter Carter! So happy you enjoyed my photos. I drive my husband mad taking pictures of everything but I can't help myself ;)

Thanks so much for the votes, share and pin! Have a great one.

samowhamo 3 years ago

Thank you tillsontitan. I think my interest in dragons stems from my love of dinosaurs I have always loved dinosaurs and reptiles in fact I write mostly about dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals and reptiles and amphibians on my hubpage and am writing more articles about dragons.

Sue Bailey 3 years ago from South Yorkshire, UK

Now this hub has really cheered me up with all the beautiful pictures. I think we sometimes take it all for granted but today I will notice all the beauty that surrounds me. Shared, pinned and voted up

rajan jolly 3 years ago from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar,INDIA.

I love summer but not the extreme heat just for the lovely flora. Beautiful pictures here, Mary and thanks for sharing.

DDE 3 years ago from Dubrovnik, Croatia

A beautiful thought about nature and how the course repeats itself year round or in the specific times, such lovely photos. A useful and interesting hub, with different information and well focused to every reader.

Jatinder Joshi 3 years ago from Whitby, Ontario, Canada

Beautiful photographs and a very informative hub. Summer is the best time of the year in North America, but is dreaded in the tropics and the desert.

Mike Robbers 3 years ago from London

Such a beautiful imagery and words, Mary! Wonderful hub - thank you for sharing! Voted and shared!

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

So glad to hear this hub was able to cheer you up Sue. What better compliment than that could I ask for? Thanks too for the shares and vote.

I would agree Rajan but I have a feeling you feel more heat than we do here. Thank you for reading.

Thank you DDE. I am glad you found this focused to every reader, I always hope to have a little something for everyone.

So true Jatinder. I guess that's why I consider us so lucky and our flora and fauna so beautiful.

Thank you Mike, for reading, voting, and sharing. So glad you enjoyed my hub and pictures!

thelyricwriter 3 years ago from West Virginia

Til, amazing article! Voted up and all across but funny, shared on FB also. Incredible photos, so beautiful:) Such a great article on summer and all the elements within this time of year. I like summer, but I love autumn the most, love the fall colors. From your article, we can see there's plenty of colors in summer also. Excellent photos, breath taking for sure:)

grandmapearl 3 years ago from Southern Tier New York State

Mary, your images are breathtaking! I love all of them, but if I had to pick a favorite, I think it would be that giant hibiscus. I thought my Rose of Sharon was beautiful, but your gorgeous flower is amazing! Beautifully done my friend ;) Pearl

Voted Up+++ pinned

aviannovice 3 years ago from Stillwater, OK

Looking good, Mary. Photos capture the essence of one's soul.

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

You realize Lyricwriter I'll have to do one on fall now ;) So glad you enjoyed my photos and sharing my view of summer.

Grandmapearl you can't believe those hibiscus. They only bloom for one day but there are so many of them. Thank you for the compliment, votes and certainly the pin.

True compliment coming from a great photographer aviannovice.

Daisy Mariposa 3 years ago from Orange County (Southern California)

Mary,

What a beautiful article and what beautiful flowers! I frequently take photographs of flowers in my front garden.

Stephanie Henkel 3 years ago from USA

Beautiful, beautiful photographs! Thanks so much for sharing your artistic photgrapher's eye with us! Your photographs and writing make me feel as if I'm back in New York! Voted up and shared!

AudreyHowitt 3 years ago from California

These are so lovely Mary!

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Flowers are like the perfect subject to photograph; colorful and always cooperative. Glad you enjoyed Daisy.

So glad to bring you back to New York for a short visit Stephanie. Thanks for the vote and share.

Thank you Audrey.

pstraubie48 3 years ago from sunny Florida

Enjoyed this so much. The beauty that we find just outside our window is forever changing from day to day. This summer here in Florida has been spectacular when it comes to the many shades of greens we have seen the shrubs, trees, and grasses. We have had so much rain that they have flourished. Our flowering plants have too and we have welcomed many bees and butterflies to our yards as well.

Thank you for sharing this beauty with us.

Voted up up and away Angels are on the way . ps

phdast7 3 years ago from Atlanta, Georgia

oh Mary, what a pleasure. A well written hub and some absolutely wonderful pictures of such gorgrous flowers. I was feeling rather tired after a long day, but not any more. :) Thank you for the "Nature" pick me up. Blessings. Theresa

Frank Atanacio 3 years ago from Shelton

this was such a wonderful entertaining read Til but what really made me go hmm was the facts about bees.. thank you for broadening my horizen LOL

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

You know ps you're so right....all the rain really brought the flowers out this year and the colors were amazing. Thanks for the votes and more importantly for the angels my friend, hope they are guarding you as well.

Theresa I'm so glad this little hub could be a pick me up for you! Glad you enjoyed. Blessings back at you.

Hmm Frank so glad I could broaden your horizon with some bee facts ;)

MartieCoetser 3 years ago from South Africa

Awesome pictures you have published in here, Mary! Now you have inspired me to use my camera more effectively. That picture of the moon is a magnificent shot. Of course, my little aim-and-shoot camera is not able to produce such quality. Down here Spring has just begun; October is known as our most beautiful month of the year when the brightest flowers seem to be more than all the greens.

So sorry to read about Larry's mini stroke. You are in my thoughts :)

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

You my friend, Martie, are the reason I love HP so much! Not just a lovely comment about my hub, but the personal touch. Thank you and God bless.

Vellur 3 years ago from Dubai

Beautiful photos and a wonderful hub. Enjoyed reading. Nature has beauty in abundance to capture every single second. Voted up. Great hub.

Faith Reaper 3 years ago from southern USA

Dear Mary,

Please know I am lifting up you, Larry, and all in prayer. My thoughts are always with you sweet lady. May God comfort you through all this, whether it is through your writing here or whatever, I pray His peace rains down on you sweetie.

God bless you, Faith Reaper

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

So glad you enjoyed Vellur. So much beauty is there for us to see.

My dearest Faith, how good of you to remember us as you face your own trials and tribulations. God grant comfort to the comforter. You are certainly a faith reaper and so loved and appreciated. God bless.

jhamann 3 years ago from Reno NV

What a great hub with great photographs, I think I will return often to look over each picture and find some inspiration there. Thank you. Jamie

Nell Rose 3 years ago from England

What a glorious hub, and especially now just as Summer is coming to an end. I love Autumn or Fall but its the Winter just after it I cannot abide! lol! Wonderful mary!

TIMETRAVELER2 3 years ago

Thanks so much for this one...I needed some beauty today, and you provided it. Gorgeous pix! Voted up.

sallybea 3 years ago from Norfolk

Lovely reminder of Summer - Autumn is on it's way in the UK but this is a lovely reminder of the beautiful Summer we have just had. Enjoyed your photographs and am glad to have found another nature lover on Hubpages. Thank you for sharing.

Vinaya Ghimire 3 years ago from Nepal

Mary,

Summer can be terrible in the tropics. Actually, apart from beautiful flowers, summer also bring houseflies and misquotes in my place.

Even though I don't do nature photography much I like nature photography. Your pictures are beautiful.

Cheers

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Oh Jamie what an honor to think my photos could provide you with inspiration for your lovely writings!

Glad I could help you take that last glimpse of summer Nell. I'm not looking forward to winter either!

TT2, so glad I could provide you with a touch of beauty! Thanks for the vote.

Thank you Sallybea, yes, I do love nature and all the beauty it has to offer us.

Oh Vinaya, you don't make summer sound too inviting that's for sure. However, I am glad you enjoyed my photos. It is a great compliment coming from such a talented photographer!

Suzie HQ 3 years ago from Dublin, Ireland

Hi Mary,

Stunning shots and well penned as always! Love the different aspects of summer you grouped together from the flowers to all in the surrounds. Kingston looks my kind of place! Beautiful flower shots, I adore flowers and their array of colors, shapes, sizes and scents I learnt to love from my mum an avid gardener, photographer and artist with flowers a huge theme of hers, particularly poppies.

Thanks mary for sharing your beautiful work.

Up,everything, shared everywhere and pinned!

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Thanks Suzie. I love my flowers too. Poppies are beautiful but I don't have enough room for them here. I have a feeling I'd have gotten along great with your Mum! Thank you for stopping by and the votes and shares! Have a great week.

Glimmer Twin Fan 3 years ago

Thanks for this beautiful summer trip this afternoon. You flowers and photos are lovely. I'm looking at the spider on my deck as I type this.

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Interesting little beasts, spiders. So glad you enjoyed Glimmer.

alexadry 3 years ago from USA

Awesome pictures you have there! Makes me think that sadly summer is almost over! Voted up!

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Thanks Alexadry but we do have the beautiful colors of fall coming ;)

PegCole17 3 years ago from Dallas, Texas

These are absolutely stunning photographs, Mary. I really loved the one with the Doe and her two fawns and the one of your grandson. Also that one with the morning fog from the caves and the sunrise and the flowers. Let's face it. They're all gorgeous.

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Thanks Peg. New experiences with a new camera mixed in with some taken with my old camera. Lots to learn but I'm having so much fun. Thanks for the lovely compliment and for always being here.

PegCole17 3 years ago from Dallas, Texas

I've been thinking about you. Glad that your photography is giving you so much pleasure. I hardly leave the house anymore without my camera. You just never know when the right picture will come along.

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

So right Peg. I've not been able to devote too much time right now but know I will again. Thanks for thinking of me.

Au fait 3 years ago from North Texas

What gorgeous photos! I loved going through them all. I pinned this to my 'Purple II' board, and voted it up, interesting and beautiful. It was difficult to pin because there is no pin button on the side, only tweet, but leave it to me, I found a way . . . sharing with my followers also.

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Thanks Au fait. I got nervous about pinning my photos since a fellow hubber told me any photos pinned to Pinterest become the property of Pinterest.

Glad you enjoyed though as I loved taking the photos. Thanks for the shares!

D.A.L. 3 years ago from Lancashire north west England

Beautifully done. as a naturalist I appreciate the work you have put in to produce this hub with excellent images. A joy to read. Voted up. beautiful.

tillsontitan 3 years ago from New York Author

Thank you D.A.L. There is so much beauty to be seen and I love trying to capture it making my photos the best I can. I appreciate your comment and vote.

Glen Kowalski 2 years ago

One of my favorite things about fishing and hunting is being out in nature and getting to see some amazing things. Contrary to popular belief as an outdoorsman I don't automatically want to kill everything I see. When fishing for pleasure being outside and seeing nature at work is just as important if not more important than catching fish.

tillsontitan 2 years ago from New York Author

Thanks for stopping by Glen. All of the outdoorsmen I know have an appreciation of nature. Glad to hear you feel the same way.